Both had reserved their respective upscale ballrooms in
anticipation of a celebration, and as it neared 11 p.m., the glitz
of the rooms began to fade as both Democrats and Republicans
focused on the battleground state of Ohio.
Sen. John Kerry supporters came together at the Manhattan Beach
Marriot with Starbucks’ mochas and Coors Light beer bottles
in hand, while those rallying for President Bush’s
re-election gathered at the Sutton Palace Hotel in Newport Beach in
business suits and Bush costumes.
The Republican and Democratic parties garnered supporters young
and old as those in attendance awaited not only a winner in the
presidential election, but also smaller regional victories.
These election parties provided a place for like-minded
individuals to anticipate results.
“I go to every party. Last year I was in Nashville …
it’s good to be around other people and around all this
energy,” said Shannon Haber, a member of Young Democrats
attending the Kerry election party.
That energy crosses partisan lines and was evident at both
election parties.
“It’s really exciting here”, said Nicole Ness,
a fourth-year student at Chapman University at the Republican
Party’s event. “You feel like you’re in a big
family. We’re all here to support the same person, the same
cause.”
Back at the Democratic event, with merlot in hand, partygoer and
campaigner Shannon Nelson said this election was one of the first
elections that she’s been really excited about.
“Ever since the Florida blowout (in 2000), if you can call
it that, more people have become interested. This morning when I
went to vote, there was a line. There’s never been a line
before,” Nelson said.
The Republican Party had a strong religious overtone, guided by
both a massive group prayer for political solidarity in the nation
and the general support of numerous religious groups.
Brenda Zeyak of Santa Ana was attending the gala with her
friends who were members of the Traditional Values Coalition
““ a group she described as dedicated to keeping Christian
values alive in the White House.
“I prayed a lot,” said Zeyak of her preparation for
the election, “I prayed a lot”.
Across town, in the Marriott ballroom flagged by two huge screen
TVs, the Kerry election party exploded as CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer
announced Oregon as a blue state.
“It could go either way. I’m waiting for a hope to
become reality,” said Jackie Orozco, a Kerry supporter who
came to the event with her boyfriend, a UCLA alumnus.
While the hype and excitement of the parties were almost
identical, there was a marked difference in the attendee’s
attitude toward the presidential race.
The Republican event was dominated by a sense of celebration.
Martha House, president of the California Federation of Women, was
optimistic early in the evening.
“I’m here to celebrate, because we’re going to
win”, House said.
A group of three young women stood out amongst a sea of suits in
the ballroom of the Sutton Palace, decked out in Bush stickers and
“W” T-shirts.
“It’s just fun to support,” said Shandean
Bell, a first-year student at the Fashion Institute of Design &
Merchandising of her choice to proudly show her support for the
president. “We didn’t want to blend in with the
suits”.
Bell did have one problem with the event’s emphasis on
only the candidates.
“They haven’t really been talking about the
propositions,” Bell said.
She added she was concerned about “all of really
controversial propositions, like stem cell research.”
At the Manhattan Marriot, there was an air of caution as more
and more parts of the United States map turned red.
“I’m really nervous because it could go either way.
But if (Kerry wins), I can say I was there,” Orozco said.
Despite the caution many Democrats expressed over the
election’s outcome, there was a definite sense of confidence
when it came to the state of California.
“It’s a good evening to be a Democrat when 10
seconds after 8 (p.m.), California is declared a Democratic
state,” said Eric Bauman, chairman of the L.A. County
Democratic Central Committee.
Along with victories in the U.S. Senate, House of
Representatives and state Legislature, Democratic officials in
attendance touted various proposition victories, such as the stem
cell proposition.
As the night moved on, the Democrats rallied around the
victories in California and officials vowed that Kerry would be
president when all was said and done.
For some, this election would be their first exposure to the
American political system.
Debbi Braley from Fountain Valley attended the Republican event
with her young daughter, who was clinging tightly to a Republican
elephant doll.
“I’m introducing her to the electoral
process”, Braley said.
Braley remembered the first time she became enthusiastic about
politics.
“I got very excited about the Republican party when I saw
Reagan running”, said Braley, with daughter in arm.
Despite the uncertainties both parties might face in the
upcoming days, partygoers from both groups were confident about
their respective candidates throughout the night.
“Remember, if the Curse of the Bambino was broken, it
follows that the man from Massachusetts will win,” said
Assemblywomen Jane Harmon, D-Los Angeles, referring to the World
Series win by the Boston Red Sox.
Harmon also reminded the audience that 10 years ago, when she
ran for office, she was down 92 votes at 5 a.m.
Two weeks later, she was announced the winner.